Used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu for Sale near Illinois

Compare 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Trims

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, all with efficient FWD performance.

• Starting at $7,576
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Most Popular: LS FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

Limited LS FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LS FWD is the pick for shoppers who want essential features without paying for extras. It's a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.

• Avg. market price: $8,117 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 17 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited LS FWD listings

LS FWD — "Who It's For"

The LS FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded sedan with modern tech features without breaking the bank. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $8,902 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 1,409 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LS FWD listings

LS Fleet FWD — "Who It's For"

The LS Fleet FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fleet-friendly option with similar features to the LS FWD. It's a practical choice for businesses.

• Avg. market price: $9,341 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 949 listings
• View LS Fleet FWD listings

Limited LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LT FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a touch of luxury with leather seats without stepping up to the higher trims. It's a great value for the features offered.

• Avg. market price: $7,576 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 61 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited LT FWD listings

1LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The 1LT FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a balance of features and price without going for the top trims. It's a solid mid-range option.

• Avg. market price: $9,595 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 728 listings
• View 1LT FWD listings

Limited LTZ FWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited LTZ FWD is the pick for shoppers who want premium features like heated seats and navigation without the highest price tag. It's a great option for those seeking luxury.

• Avg. market price: $7,923 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 22 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Limited LTZ FWD listings

2LT FWD — "Who It's For"

The 2LT FWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance with added tech features without going for the top-tier trim. It's a good choice for those who enjoy driving.

• Avg. market price: $9,431 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 186 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 2LT FWD listings

Premier FWD — "Who It's For"

The Premier FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded sedan with all the latest tech features. It's the top choice for those seeking luxury and performance.

• Avg. market price: $10,733 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 251 listings
• View Premier FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LS FWD

With 1,409 active listings, the LS FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LS FWD listings

Best Budget Option — Limited LT FWD

At $7,576 avg market price — below the lineup median of $9,121 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Limited LT FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LS FWD

The LS FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 27/37 MPG.

Browse LS FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu cost?

Prices have softened 5.74% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,385 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu earns a 4.3/5 user rating and a 7.7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

Drivers consistently point to the smooth ride, strong features, and good fuel economy as major positives. The overview also frames it as a roomy midsize sedan with a more spacious interior, while the user feedback highlights Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as especially appealing. That makes it a sensible pick if you want a comfortable, well-equipped sedan for everyday use, especially as a secondary car. The market also shows 25.7% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive buys out there.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a car that feels decent to own over time, with drivers describing it as solid and appreciating its smooth ride and good fuel economy. The expert review also emphasizes that Chevrolet redesigned the Malibu to be more efficient and more modern, which supports the sense that this generation was built to be more dependable than the older version. The performance write-up adds that the base engine is wholly capable, and the cost-effectiveness notes say there are no rebates or incentives, which can matter if you’re planning for ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that some owners still raise concerns about build quality and acceleration, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

At 49% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report so you can separate clean examples from cars with prior damage. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on body condition, panel alignment, and signs of uneven wear or repair. Because owner feedback also mentions build-quality concerns, it’s smart to pay close attention to how the cabin feels and whether everything operates as it should.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base L trim is the most stripped-down version, while the LS adds alloys, automatic headlights, 4G connectivity, and a 7-inch touchscreen with a rear-view camera plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 1LT adds more comfort and convenience features, and the Premier brings the most upscale equipment, including leather, heated and ventilated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bose stereo.
• Powertrain: The base 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 160 hp and is paired with a 6-speed automatic, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in higher trims is the stronger option and pairs with an 8-speed automatic.
• Safety package: Two Driver Confidence packages add automatic headlights, parking sensors front and rear, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and self-parking. Some of those features are not standard on every trim, so check carefully before you buy.
• Infotainment: Lower trims use a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Premier gets an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a color driver information system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the Malibu’s tech appeal, along with 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine returns 27 mpg city/37 mpg highway/31 combined, while the 2.0-liter turbo is rated at 22/33/26.

Which 2016 Chevrolet Malibu trim should I buy?

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is offered in 5 trim levels: L, LS, 1LT, 2LT, Premier.

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the simplest Malibu, so it makes sense only if you want the lowest entry point and can live without the nicer convenience and tech upgrades found higher up.
• LS: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds alloys, automatic headlights, 4G connectivity, a rear-view camera, and the 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• 1LT: This trim is the better choice if you want more comfort, with LED running lights, heated mirrors, an 8-way power driver’s seat, satellite radio, rear ventilation, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
• 2LT: This is the step-up choice if you want the stronger 2.0-liter engine and the 8-speed automatic, plus 18-inch wheels and dual exhaust tips.
• Premier: This is the most luxurious Malibu, with leather, heated and ventilated front seats, remote ignition, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, wireless charging, navigation, and a Bose stereo.

Safety packages add features like automatic headlights, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and self-parking, so check whether the trim you’re considering includes the equipment you want.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Chevrolet Malibu?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 25.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,385 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.74% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 49.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,411, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu's resale value?

The current average of $9,411 sits slightly below last year's $9,984.

That decline suggests the Malibu has become more affordable for buyers, which can help you if you’re shopping now but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. The good news is that the current price is already near the low end of the year-round range, so there may be less room for further depreciation than there was a year ago. Strong owner satisfaction can help support demand, especially for well-kept examples with the right equipment.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu safe?

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu earns five-star ratings overall from NHTSA, with a four-star rollover rating.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Malibu’s standard safety equipment includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, dual front knee airbags, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, and OnStar with automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, and remote features. The available Driver Confidence packages add automatic headlights, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure intervention, forward collision intervention, and self-parking. That gives you a strong safety story overall, though you’ll want to confirm which driver-assistance features are included on the specific trim you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 25.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 49% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.74% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 redesign brought a more spacious interior, stronger efficiency, and major tech and safety upgrades.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,687, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,411 average.
• It builds on the redesign with a more refined, current-feeling package.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it delivers the redesigned Malibu experience at a lower average price. If you’re willing to spend more for a slightly newer example, the 2017 is the cleaner follow-up choice.

How does the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu compare to the 2016 Toyota Camry?

Our experts score the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 7.7/10 and the 2016 Toyota Camry 7.2/10.

The Malibu looks like the better value if you want a lower average used price and stronger tech appeal. The Camry brings a higher starting MSRP, more horsepower, and a larger used-market footprint, but it also costs more on average. If you care most about modern features and price, the Malibu has the edge; if you want a more traditional midsize-sedan benchmark with stronger resale-market demand, the Camry remains a solid alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.